John Hartson is used to nothing but very high standards at Celtic.
But what Hartson has been witnessing at Celtic this season has been painful viewing, not just for the supporters but for the former striker himself.
As Martin O’Neill tries to guide this declining Celtic side to the Premiership title, Hartson has called for James Forrest to start on the flanks.
“I would be playing James Forrest,” said Hartson. “He’s the only one, for me, who is direct and looks to take players on.”
Everything and anything has gone wrong at Parkhead this season, and there is only so much O’Neill can do, as the final hurdles in this three-way Premiership title tussle are nearly here.
O’Neill has seen it all during his time in the dugout, but you sense that this period has probably been the most challenging of all during his career.
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John Hartson blasts Celtic players for getting ‘beat up’ on the pitch
Celtic travel to Dundee on Sunday, knowing that they can no longer drop points or else wave goodbye to the Premiership title.
What has seemingly annoyed Hartson is the lack of fight being shown by the champions of Scotland this season.
The legendary striker stated that when the Celtic players go off the pitch, they look like they have been ‘beat up’, as he tried to explain that shouldn’t be allowed to happen, as he told Let Me Be Frank.
“I would be playing James Forrest,” said Hartson. “I know he’s f___ing 57 years of age. I would play him.
“He’s the only one, for me, who is direct and looks to take players on. Tounekti does it on the other side. Tounekti has shown signs that he can produce things.
“But like I said. You have to do it, week in and week out, especially with the resurgence of Hearts. It’s a difficult place to go, at the best of times. It can be hostile there. Derek McInnes is doing a great job.
“I thought Hearts would fall away. Halfway through the season, I thought Celtic would do what they normally do. They would come on strong. Momentum, and everything else.
“But you can’t be willy nilly. You can’t just turn it on when you want to turn it on. Larsson did it week in, week out. Year in and year out, and so did all the other players.
“We lost the odd game. Of course, we lost the odd game. Good teams lose football matches. It happens. But you can’t be at Celtic and play in second gear. You have to be at it every single week.
“The man who is in charge now, Martin O’Neill, made sure that was the case. You have to play every single week.
“I just look at the players, and they just trudge off, and they have been beat up. They don’t compete. They pull out of headers. Pull out of tackles. That’s not Celtic players you have seen in the past.”
Forrest’s stats for Celtic this season
If Forrest is to start, then it would be in place of Hyunjun Yang, because he operates on the right wing.
But whilst Celtic have had issues all over the shop this term, Yang has been one of the very few bright sparks, especially at home.
So, could O’Neill still start Forrest, but perhaps move Yang to the other flank? Or start Celtic’s most decorated player of all time in away matches, starting with Dens Park.
- Forrest’s Premiership games: 22
- Starts: 2
- Minutes per game: 29
- Goals: 1
- Assists: 1
- Accurate passes in the opposition half: 85%
- Big chances created: 4
- Key passes: 0.7
- Sofascore: 6.90
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